ATT Phone Switch Question

[jaynine]

Hi,
This may have already been discussed but I tried to find info on it....

Recently (like two days ago), I got a postcard from ATT letting me know that they are sending me a new free phone, no strings attached. The phone is a Sony Ericsson T226. Currently I have a Sony Ericsson T68i. They are also including a box with the shipment for me to return my T68i to them. It may or may not be an important factor but my contract with them is almost up (a few months).

I don't know a lot about cell providers practices so this may sound like a stupid question...but, is this normal for a cell company to do? I looked at the differences between the the T226 and T68i phone and it seems like the T226 is cheap compared to the T68i. My T68i phone is not even a year old yet and still looks & works like new. Why would I want to give it back to them? Plus, I have purchased some accessories that only work with this phone.

Could you please let me know what are the possible reasons why ATT would make this switch? I'd rather ask here for information first instead of having to call them as I don't always feel as if they are being upfront with me when I need service & have questions.

Thanks for your help [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

[TNDan21]

The T68i is a 1900 Mhz only phone. AT&T is now launching 850 in many areas so they are trying to get customers off the 1900 only phones. Basically if you live in a area with the 850 Mhz GSM you should see better coverage by taking the SE T226 since it supports both US bands at 850 and 1900 Mhz.

By the way from what I have heard the T226 does have some advantages over the T68i. The T226 seems to have better RF and it has a better color screen on it.

[jaynine]

thanks TNDan21.....you know, this makes more sense to me knowing what you've just told me. For the past month (or maybe two), I have been having serious issues with the coverage and my t68i phone.
Recently (a couple of weeks ago), ATT sent me a letter about the upgrades they have been making to their systems/network. I got the letter because the current flood of upgrades included my area. Of course, the technical info they supplied in the letter I paid no attention to. I understood 'upgrading network' and that was enough for me [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

My t68i had been a great performing phone until about a month ago. And, being the numbskull that I can be, I didn't put two & two together to figure out that their upgrade meant my phone probably wasn't going to work as well as it had been.
And now with the information you gave me, I feel better about giving up my t68i. I almost hate to admit this but when ATT sent the postcard my first reaction was to think that they were trying to pull a fast one on me [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Afterall, how many times does it happen that a company gives you something 'no strings attached'. I guess my reaction to this was, 'yeah, right'. But actually, it looks as if ATT is trying to help!! (doh)!

Thanks again for the info!!